Macro-network location determination, local-oscillator stabilization, and frame-start synchronization based on nearby FM radio signals

ABSTRACT

Exemplary methods and systems may generally be implemented to allow a macro-network base station without access to a GPS reference signal to provide some or all of the functionality for which existing macro-network base stations typically rely on GPS. In a first aspect, an exemplary macro-network base station may determine its location using a location-determination technique that is based upon the angles of arrival of FM radio signals from nearby FM stations. In a second aspect, an exemplary macro-network base station may stabilize its local oscillator by phase-locking its local oscillator to an FM radio signal, and periodically adjusting its local oscillator to account for phase drift of the FM radio signal. And in a third aspect, an exemplary macro-network base station may synchronize its frame-start timing with a nearby base station using a frame-start timing signal that the base station has synchronized to frame transmissions from the nearby base station during a setup routine.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/023,269, filed Feb. 8, 2011 and entitled “Macro-Network LocationDetermination, Local-Oscillator Stabilization, and Frame StartSynchronization Based on Nearby FM Radio Signals,” now pending, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The recent introduction of WiMAX technology and other fourth-generation(4G) air-interface protocols promises to further increase theproliferation of wirelessly-equipped devices. WiMAX (WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access) is an Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) standard, designated 802.16, with the802.16e being the current version of the standard (the terms “IEEE802.16,” “IEEE 802.16e,” and “WiMAX” may be used interchangeablyherein). WiMAX provides a robust mechanism for wireless communicationbetween base stations and subscriber stations. In particular, WiMAX isdesigned to provide fixed, portable or non-line-of-sight service with apotential range of five miles, a throughput on the order of thirtymegabits per second, and superior quality of service and security.

WiMAX chipsets that provide for communication in accordance with theWiMAX protocol are becoming increasingly prevalent as standard oroptional equipment not only in traditional wireless communicationsdevices, such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants, butalso in devices that, heretofore, were not used for access to telephonynetworks. These devices include portable music players, entertainmentdevices such as game players, automobiles, domestic appliances and soon.

WiMAX networks are typically implemented as a macro cellular wirelessnetworks (which may also be referred to as “macro networks”), whichtypically provide communication services such as voice, text messaging,and packet-data communication for WiMAX-capable mobile stations. Suchmobile stations (which may also be referred to as access terminals,subscriber stations, or client devices, among other terms) and networkstypically communicate with each other over a radio frequency (RF) airinterface according to one or more wireless protocols (e.g. WiMAX, CDMA(Code Division Multiple Access), EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized),and/or one or more others). Mobile stations typically conduct wirelesscommunications with these networks via one or more base transceiverstations (base stations), each of which send communications to andreceive communications from mobile stations over the air interface.

Each base station is in turn connected with a network entity known as abase station controller (BSC) (which may also be referred to as a radionetwork controller (RNC)), which controls one or more base stations andacts as a conduit between the one or more base stations and one or moreswitches or gateways, such as a mobile switching center (MSC) and/or apacket data serving node (PDSN). The one or more switches or gatewaysmay then interface with one or more signaling and/or transport networks.As examples, an MSC may interface with the public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN), while a PDSN may interface with one or more core packetdata networks and/or the Internet. As such, mobile stations cantypically communicate over the one or more signaling and/or transportnetworks from anywhere inside the coverage area of one or more basestations, via the base station(s), a BSC, and a switch or gateway suchas an MSC and/or PDSN.

In WiMAX, data communications between a mobile station and a basestation (i.e. a base station, or combinations of one or more basestations and a BSC) are formatted as Orthogonal Frequency-DivisionMultiplexed (OFDM) symbols, which are further organized into dataframes. As some WiMAX systems employ Transmit Division Duplexing, allbase stations in a given market typically begin their transmissions atthe same. In particular, the base stations in a given coverage area allbegin transmitting each frame at substantially the same time, a conceptwhich is referred to herein as “frame-start synchronization.” As thereis a five millisecond (ms) frame interval (i.e., each frame has aduration of five ms), this means that the transmitters of each basestation turn off and on twenty times per second.

To achieve frame-start synchronization, existing WiMAX base stations allreceive a highly-accurate and stable timing signal that is available viaa Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite. Since base stations may beof varying distances from a GPS satellite, the delay experienced by aGPS timing signal between the GPS satellite and different base stationsmay vary as well. Accordingly, each WiMAX base stations typically applyan offset to the GPS reference signal that is based on the delay betweenthe base station and the GPS satellite. By adjusting the GPS timingsignal as such, nearby WiMAX base stations are essentially using thesame timing signal to control their frame transmissions, and thus areable to synchronize frame-start timing with each other.

OVERVIEW

In order to synchronize transmissions with nearby WiMAX base stations,existing WiMAX base stations rely on a highly-accurate and stablereference signal to stabilize their respective base station'stransmitter. Existing WiMAX base stations typically include ahighly-stable local oscillator, which stabilizes the base station'stransmitter. This local oscillator is typically a rubidium oscillator,although any type of oscillator providing the required accuracy may beemployed. Compliance with FCC requirements requires that the localoscillator provide a high degree of signal stability for transmissions.Specifically, to meet the FCC requirements for stability, a WiMAX basestation must generate a radio frequency (RF) signal with a degree ofprecision around 50 parts-per-billion (ppb). Maintaining this accuracyover time can be a challenge, as local oscillators tend to drift due tofactors such as temperature fluctuation.

In practice, existing WiMAX base stations typically use a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) signal to calibrate the local oscillator incompliance with the FCC requirements. In particular, a GPS referencesignal typically includes a highly-accurate 10.23 MHz frequency pulse.As such, the local oscillator at a base station can be phase-locked tothe GPS reference signal and used to stabilize the base-stationtransmitter. Thus, existing WiMAX base stations rely on GPS for bothframe-start synchronization and local-oscillator stabilization. ExistingWiMAX base stations may also use a GPS signal for a number of otherpurposes. More specifically, in addition to using GPS (1) to stabilize alocal oscillator and (2) for frame-start synchronization, existing WiMAXbase stations typically (3) acquire time-of-day information from a GPSsignal, which helps the base station to accurately report events to aservice provider's network operations center, and (4) use the GPS signalto determine geographic location.

Relying on a GPS signal can present a problem for a base station, asacquiring a GPS signal typically requires a line-of-sight view of a GPSsatellite, which is not available in many locations. Accordingly,exemplary methods and systems are provided herein that may help a WiMAXbase station to provide WiMAX service without receiving a GPS signal.

In a first aspect, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein that mayhelp a macro-network base station to determine its location when a GPSsignal is inaccessible to the base station. In particular, an exemplarymethod may involve a macro-network base station that is located within agiven telecommunications market: (i) receiving a plurality of FM radiosignals, wherein each of the FM radio signals is broadcast at a certainbroadcast frequency by an FM radio station in the giventelecommunications market; (ii) for each received FM radio signal,determining an angle of arrival of the FM radio signal at the basestation; (iii) sending a location request to a network operationscenter, wherein the location request comprises the broadcast frequencyand the determined angle of arrival for each of the FM radio signals;and (iv) receiving a response to the location request from the networkoperations center, wherein the response indicates the geographiclocation of the first base station, and wherein the broadcast frequencyand the determined angle of arrival for each of the FM radio signals areboth used as a basis to determine the geographic location.

Another exemplary method may be carried out by an entity in a serviceprovider's core network in order to facilitate location determinationfor a base station that does not have access to a GPS signal. Thecore-network component preferably serves a macro network that providesservice in a coverage area that overlaps with one or moretelecommunications markets. The exemplary method involves thecore-network entity: (i) receiving a location request from a basestation in the macro network, wherein the location request comprises:(a) a plurality of FM-station identifiers, wherein each FM-stationidentifier corresponds to an FM radio station, and (b) for eachFM-station identifier, an angle of arrival at the base station of an FMradio signal that is broadcast by the identified FM radio station; (ii)determining a set of potential markets that comprises one or moretelecommunications markets, wherein each potential market includes an FMradio station corresponding to each of the FM-station identifiers; (iii)iteratively applying a triangulation routine to the set of potentialmarkets until an application of the trilateration routine in one of thepotential markets produces a valid crossing point, wherein thetriangulation routine is based at least in part on (a) locations of FMstations that broadcast at the reported broadcast frequencies in thegiven potential market and (b) the reported angles of arrival; and (iv)setting the valid crossing point as the geographic location of the basestation.

Further, a core-network component is disclosed that may help tofacilitate location determination for a base station when a GPS signalis inaccessible to the base station. The core-network component mayinclude a non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium and programinstructions stored on the non-transitory tangible computer-readablemedium and executable by at least one processor to cause thecore-network entity to: (i) receive a location request from a basestation in the macro network, wherein the location request comprises:(a) a plurality of FM-station identifiers, wherein each FM-stationidentifier corresponds to an FM radio station, and (b) for eachFM-station identifier, an angle of arrival at the base station of an FMradio signal that is broadcast by the identified FM radio station; (ii)determine a set of potential markets that comprises one or moretelecommunications markets, wherein each potential market includes an FMradio station corresponding to each of the FM-station identifiers; (iii)iteratively apply a triangulation routine to the set of potentialmarkets until an application of the trilateration routine in one of thepotential markets produces a valid crossing point, wherein thetriangulation routine is based at least in part on (a) locations of FMstations that broadcast at the reported broadcast frequencies in thegiven potential market and (b) the reported angles of arrival; and (iv)set the valid crossing point as the geographic location of the basestation.

In a second aspect, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein that mayhelp a base station to stabilize its local oscillator when a GPS signalis inaccessible to the base station. In particular, an exemplary methodmay involve a first base station in a macro network: (i) receiving an FMradio signal from an FM station, wherein the first base station and theFM station are both located in a given telecommunications market, andwherein the first base station comprises a local oscillator; (ii) thefirst base station phase-locking the local oscillator to the FM radiosignal; (iii) the first base station periodically receiving phase-errorindications, wherein each received phase-error indication indicatesphase drift of the FM radio signal; and (iv) the first base stationusing each received phase-error indication to adjust the phase of thelocal oscillator in order to account for phase drift of the FM radiosignal.

Further, a macro-network base station is disclosed that may beconfigured to stabilize its local oscillator when a GPS signal isinaccessible to the base station. The base station may include: (i) amacro-network communication interface; (ii) an FM receiver configured toreceive one or more FM radio signals; (iii) a local oscillator; and (iv)program instructions stored in a tangible computer readable medium andexecutable by at least one processor to: (a) tune the FM receiver to anFM radio signal that is broadcast by an FM station, wherein the basestation and the FM station are both located in a giventelecommunications market; (b) phase-lock the local oscillator to the FMradio signal; (c) periodically receive phase-error indications, whereineach received phase-error indication indicates phase drift of the FMradio signal; and (d) use each received phase-error indication to adjustthe phase of the local oscillator in order to account for phase drift ofthe FM radio signal.

Another exemplary method may be carried out by an entity in a serviceprovider's core network, such as a network operations center, in orderto facilitate local-oscillator stabilization at a base station that doesnot have access to a GPS signal. The method involves the core-networkentity: (i) receiving a phase-error indication for each of one or moreFM radio signals in a given telecommunications market; and (ii) for eachof the one or more FM radio signals the core-network entity: (a)identifying one or more base stations that are using the FM radio signalas a reference signal for local-oscillator stabilization; and (b)sending the phase-error indication for the FM radio signal to eachidentified base station.

The core-network entity may receive the phase-error information thatallows the core-network entity to provide base stations with phase-errorindications from one or more “in-market broadcast monitors” (IMBMs). Inanother exemplary embodiment, an IMBM is disclosed that may be installedin a given telecommunications market to monitor and report phase driftto the network operations center. In particular, an exemplary IMBM mayinclude (i) at least one FM receiver configured to receive one or moreFM radio signals in the given telecommunications market; (ii) a GPSreceiver configured to receive a GPS signal; and (iii) programinstructions stored in a tangible computer readable medium andexecutable by at least one processor to: (a) cause the FM receiver toreceive an FM radio signal that is broadcast in the giventelecommunications market; (b) cause the GPS receiver to receive a GPSsignal; (c) divide down the FM radio signal to generate a comparisonsignal; (d) determine a phase difference between the comparison signaland the GPS signal; and (e) provide a phase-error indication for use byone or more base stations in the macro network, wherein the phase-errorindication comprises an indication of the phase difference between thecomparison signal and the FM radio signal.

Another exemplary method may be carried out by an IMBM to determine andprovide phase-error indications for the FM radio signals in thetelecommunications market in which the IMBM is located. The method mayinvolve the IMBM: (a) receiving an FM radio signal that is broadcast inthe given telecommunications market; (b) receiving a GPS signal; (c)dividing down the FM radio signal to generate a comparison signal; (d)determining a phase difference between the comparison signal and the GPSsignal; and (e) providing a phase-error indication for use by one ormore base stations in the macro network, wherein the phase-errorindication comprises an indication of the phase difference between thecomparison signal and the FM radio signal.

In a third aspect, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein that mayhelp a base station to synchronize its frame-start timing with a nearbybase station when a GPS signal is inaccessible to the base station. Inparticular, an exemplary method may involve a second base station in amacro network: (a) receiving a first signal from a first base station inthe macro network, wherein the first signal comprises frames, andwherein the first signal further comprises an identifier of the firstbase station; (b) synchronizing a frame-start timing signal with theframes in the first signal; (c) determining a time-of-flight delaybetween the first base station and the second base station; (d)adjusting phase of the frame-start timing signal to account for thetime-of-flight delay between the first base station and the second basestation; and (e) transmitting a second broadcast signal that isformatted into frames, wherein the second base station uses theframe-start timing signal to control the timing of the frames in thesecond signal.

Further, a macro-network base station is disclosed that may beconfigured to synchronize its frame-start timing with a nearbymacro-network base station when a GPS signal is inaccessible to themacro-network base station. The macro-network base station is configuredto communicate with client devices in its coverage area via a broadcastsignal comprising frames, and includes: (i) a macro-networkcommunication interface; (ii) a backhaul communication interface; and(iii) program instructions stored in a tangible computer readable mediumand executable by at least one processor to: (a) cause the macro-networkcommunication interface to receive a first broadcast signal from anearby base station in the macro network, wherein the first broadcastsignal comprises a plurality of frames, and wherein the first signalfurther comprises an identifier of the first base station; (b)synchronize a frame-start timing signal with receipt of the frames inthe first broadcast signal; (c) determine a time-of-flight delayexperienced by the first broadcast signal between transmission of thefirst broadcast signal from the nearby base station and receipt of thefirst broadcast signal; (d) adjust a phase of the frame-start timingsignal to account for the determined time-of-flight delay; and (e) causethe macro-network base station transmit a second broadcast signal thatcomprises frames, wherein the frame-start timing signal is used tocontrol the timing of the frames in the second signal.

Another exemplary method may be carried out by an entity in a serviceprovider's core network in order to facilitate frame-startsynchronization at a base station that does not have access to a GPSsignal. The method involves a core-network component: (a) receiving arequest from a second base station for a time-of-flight delay between afirst base station and the second base station, wherein the requestincludes (i) an identifier of a first base station and (ii) a thegeographic location of the second base station, and wherein the secondbase station is configured to use the time-of-flight delay tosynchronize a frame-start timing signal with frames in a broadcastsignal of the first base station; (b) using the identifier of the firstbase station as a basis to determine the geographic location of thefirst base station; (c) based at least in part on (i) the receivedgeographic location of the second base station and (ii) the determinedgeographic location of the first base station, determining a distancebetween the first base station and the second base station; (d) usingthe distance between the first base station and the second base stationas a basis to determine the time-of-flight delay experienced by abroadcast signal between the first base station and the second basestation; and (e) sending an indication of the time-of-flight delay tothe second base station.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading thefollowing detailed description, with reference where appropriate to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described hereinwith reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is block diagram of a coverage area where service is availablefrom a macro-network base station, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a typical WiMAXframe, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunications market, inwhich an exemplary embodiment may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a base station, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an in-market broadcast monitor,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a network operations center,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a flow chart illustrating a location-determination methodthat may be carried out by a macro-network base station, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method that may becarried out by a network operations center to determine the location ofa macro-network base station, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for stabilizing a localoscillator, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is flow chart illustrating a method for facilitatinglocal-oscillator stabilization at one or more base stations in a macronetwork, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method that may be implemented byan in-market broadcast monitor, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10A is a flow chart illustrating a method for frame-startsynchronization, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 10B is a flow chart illustrating a method for facilitatingframe-start synchronization of a base station, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary methods and systems may generally be implemented to allow amacro-network base station without access to a GPS signal to providesome or all of the functionality for which existing macro-network basestations typically rely on GPS. It should be understood that the word“exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otherembodiments. Further, those skilled in the art will understand thatchanges and modifications may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the true scope and spirit of the invention, which isdefined by the claims.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention may be described herein by way ofexample, with specific reference to Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX) systems. However, it is anticipated thatexemplary embodiments may be implemented in any type of macro network,including macro networks operating under air-interface protocols otherthan WiMAX. For example, exemplary methods and systems may also beemployed in the context of Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems such asthose currently standardized by the 3^(rd) Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP), and those in development (e.g., LTE Advanced) or yet tobe developed. Accordingly, descriptions of exemplary embodimentsrelating to WiMAX systems should not be construed as limiting theirapplicability to WiMAX or any other particular type of macro network.

I. Exemplary Macro-Network Architecture

FIG. 1A is block diagram of a coverage area 100 where service isavailable from a macro-network base station, which in the illustratedexample is a WiMAX base station 102. Also shown are a plurality ofclient devices that may compete for the resources of the WiMAX basestation 102. The client devices may take the form of, for example,WiMAX-capable devices located in a building or home 104, such ascomputer, appliance or cell phone, WiMAX-capable devices located in anautomobile 106, a portable computer 108, a cellular telephone 110, apersonal digital assistant 112, an MP3 player 114, another cell phone116, another MP3 player 118 and/or various WiMAX-capable devices locatedwithin an office building 120 such as computers, cell phones, gameplayers, etc. Adjacent areas may be covered by other base stations, oneof which is shown as base station 122.

Provided with a WiMAX connection via base station 102, a client devicemay engage in various types of communication. For instance, a basestation 102 may provide connectivity to a packet-switched network 130such as the Internet. Further, packet-data connectivity may be providedvia a service provider's network 132 or directly. In addition topacket-data connectivity, a WiMAX connection may also provide access toother services such as voice-over-IP (VoIP), among others.

It should be understood that references to a WiMAX base station, such asbase station 102, are representative of various types of entities, andgenerally apply to any macro-network entity configured to provide WiMAXservice and/or to provide service under another protocol. Such entitiesmay include, but are not limited to, commercial base stations that areinstalled by service providers, as well as base stations that asubscriber (such as a private consumer or small business) may install intheir home or place of business, such as “femtocells.” Femtocells areessentially low-power, low-capacity versions of a macro base station,which may be installed to address gaps in macro-network coverage (e.g.in buildings) and for other reasons. Femtocells may also be referred toas femto base stations, femto base stations, picocells, pico basestations, microcells, micro base stations, and by other names, such asInternet base stations or perhaps low-cost Internet base stations(LCIBs). With respect to the term LCIB, low-cost is not used as alimiting term; that is, devices of any monetary cost may be categorizedas LCIBs, though most LCIBs typically will be less expensive on averagethan most macro-network base stations.

A WiMAX base station 102 typically provides wireless service to clientdevices by transmitting a signal that is formatted into “frames.” As thesignal from an exemplary macro-network base station is preferablyformatted into frames, it essentially is a string of consecutive framesthat are transmitted one after another by the base station.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a typical WiMAXframe 150. Each frame 150 includes a downlink (DL) sub-frame 152 and anuplink (UL) sub-frame 154, which together provide various sub-channelsand zones for communicating both overhead information (e.g., for sessionsetup, etc.) and user traffic data on the downlink and uplink,respectively. The DL sub-frame 152 typically includes a preamble 156,which is followed by an uplink map (UL-MAP) 158, a downlink map (DL-MAP)160, a Frame Control Header (FCH) 162, and various DL burst messages164. Among other information, the UL sub-frame 154 typically includes ULbursts 170. Under WiMAX, the preamble 156, UL-MAP 158, DL-MAP 160, andother such overhead information may be received by any client devicewithin range of the transmitting base station. On the other hand, DLBursts and UL Bursts typically include user traffic intended forspecific client devices, and thus are available only to those clientsfor which they are intended.

In a further aspect of WiMAX, nearby base stations are required tosynchronize frame transmissions with each other. In an exemplaryembodiment, the preamble 156 is typically the first OFDM symbol in eachWiMAX frame 150. Therefore, to synchronize their frame transmissions,nearby WiMAX base stations each begin transmitting the preamble of everyWiMAX frame at substantially the same time. To accomplish frame-startsynchronization in practice, existing WiMAX base stations receive ahighly-accurate and stable 1 pulse/sec (pps) GPS timing signal that,after each base station has adjusted for the respective time-of-flightdelay between the base station and GPS satellite, provides a commonreference signal for nearby base stations. Accordingly, the transmissionof WiMAX frames in each base station may then be edge-triggered by theleading edge of the 1 pps GPS timing signal. In practice, as theduration of each frame is much less than one second, every 200^(th)frame is edge-triggered by the 1 pps GPS timing signal.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunications market 202,in which an exemplary embodiment may be implemented. A“telecommunications market” may be a defined geographic area that isserved by a given set of FM radio stations. For example, atelecommunications market may be a geographic area such as a city,county, state, or portions thereof, which is served by a common set ofFM radio stations. Alternatively, a telecommunications market mayinclude multiple cities, multiple counties, or multiple states, whichare all served by a common set of FM radio stations. As shown,telecommunications market 202 includes a number of FM radio stationsFM1, FM2, and FM3. Each of these FM stations broadcasts an FM radiosignal that can generally be received throughout the telecommunicationsmarket 202.

As further shown, a macro-network is configured to provide wirelesscommunication service in a coverage area that overlaps with at least aportion of telecommunications market 202. In particular, a number ofmacro-network base stations BS1, BS2, and BS3 provide service in theirrespective coverage areas 204-208, which are each located withintelecommunications market 202. It should be understood that the coveragearea of a macro network is defined by the broadcast range of the basestation in the macro network, and that the geographic area of atelecommunications market is defined by the broadcast range of a set ofFM radio stations. Thus, while the coverage area of a macro network anda telecommunications market may overlap, as in FIG. 2, these geographicareas are defined independently from one another.

To provide wireless service, each macro-network base station BS1-BS3 iscommunicatively coupled to a service provider's core network 210, whichincludes a Network Operations Center (NetOps) 212. Among otherfunctions, NetOps 212 may be configured to coordinate the operation ofbase stations in the macro network, so that substantially contiguouswireless service can be provided throughout the coverage area of themacro network. Each macro-network base station BS1-BS3 is typicallyconfigured to engage in wired (e.g. Ethernet) and/or fiber optic and/ormicrowave communications with NetOps 212 via a backhaul connection tothe service provider's core network 210. Alternatively, a macro-networkbase station may communicate with NetOps 212 via a packet-data networksuch as the Internet.

In the illustrated arrangement, base station BS1 is a standardmacro-network base station, which includes a GPS interface, and relieson a GPS signal for various functionality. In particular, base stationBS1 may use GPS to (i) determine its geographic location, (ii) stabilizeits local oscillator, and (iii) synchronize frame transmissions withnearby macro-network base stations. As such, frame transmissions by basestation BS1 may be edge-triggered to a 1 pulse per second (pps) GPStiming signal. Further, since GPS provides a highly-accurate 10.23 MHzsignal that is traceable to a stratum 1 atomic clock, base station BS1may use this 10.23 MHz signal as a reference signal stabilizing itslocal oscillator and frame-start synchronization with nearby WiMAX basestations.

WiMAX base station BS2, on the other hand, is configured to operateaccording to an exemplary embodiment, and as such, is configured toprovide WiMAX service without receipt of a GPS signal. To do so, basestation BS2 may be configured to perform an initial setup routine inwhich base station BS2 determines its geographic location, calibratesits local oscillator, and synchronizes its frame-start timing withnearby WiMAX base stations BS1 and/or BS3, all without receiving a GPSsignal. Furthermore, after carrying out the initial setup routine, basestation BS2 preferably switches to an operating mode in order to provideWiMAX service in coverage area 206. While in operating mode, basestation BS2 preferably continues to stabilize its local oscillator andsynchronize frame transmissions without receiving a GPS signal.

A. Exemplary Macro-Network Base Station

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating exemplary base stationBS2 in greater detail. As shown, base station BS2 includes a WiMAXtransceiver 302 and an associated antenna 304 for providing WiMAXservice, as well as a separate FM receiver 306 and an associated antenna308 for receiving FM radio signals. Further, base station BS2 includes abackhaul interface 309 for communicating with the service provider'score network (and entities therein, such as NetOps 212). Base stationBS2 also includes a local oscillator 310, and program instructions 312stored on a computer-readable medium 314 (i.e., data storage) that areexecutable by at least one processor 315 to carry out the base-stationfunctionality described herein.

As noted, base station BS2 is configured to carry out a setup routine.During the setup routine, base station BS2 preferably synchronizes itsframe transmissions with nearby base station BS1. By synchronizing itsframe-start timing with base station BS1, which is already synchronizedwith other nearby base stations, base station BS2 will effectivelysynchronize its frame-start timing with the other nearby base stationsas well.

In an exemplary embodiment, base station BS2 is configured tosynchronize with base station BS1 by initially tuning to the broadcastsignal from base station BS1, and then generating a frame-start timingsignal that is synchronized with the frames in the broadcast signal fromBS1. In particular, the frame-start timing signal may include periodicframe-start triggers that are aligned with the receipt of the preamblesin frames of the broadcast signal. Once generated as such, the phase ofthe periodic frame-start triggers is aligned with the receipt of theframes at base station BS2. However, to synchronize frame-start timingwith base station BS1, base station BS2 needs to align the phase of theframe-start triggers with the transmission of frames by base stationBS1. Accordingly, base station BS2 may determine the time-of-flightdelay between base station BS1 and base station BS2, and adjust thephase of the frame-start timing signal to account for the time-of-flightdelay, thereby synchronizing the frame-start triggers with thetransmission of frames by base station BS1.

In order to calculate the time-of-flight delay, base station BS2 needsto determine its own location so that the distance between it and basestation BS1 can be determined. Accordingly, during the setup routine,base station BS2 may also be configured to determine its locationwithout relying upon receipt of a GPS signal. In an exemplaryembodiment, to determine its location without GPS, base station BS2 maycoordinate with NetOps 212. For example, base station BS2 may determinean angle-of-arrival (AoA) at base station BS2 for each FM stationFM1-FM3 (i.e., the angle-of-arrival of the signal broadcast by therespective FM station), and then report this angle-of-arrival data toNetOps 212. NetOps 212 is preferably configured to use this informationto determine the geographic location of base station BS2. As such, oncebase station BS2 sends NetOps 212 the angle-of-arrival information fornearby FM stations FM1-FM3, NetOps 212 may provide base station BS2 withits geographic location.

Furthermore, in order to generate a stable frame-start timing signalthat can be relied upon for frame-start synchronization, base stationBS2 needs a highly stable local oscillator 310. Accordingly, during thesetup routine, base station BS2 is preferably configured to stabilizeits local oscillator using an FM radio signal as a reference, ratherthan a GPS signal. For example, base station BS2 may stabilize its localoscillator 310 by phase-locking its local oscillator to an FM signalfrom an FM station, such as the FM signal broadcast by one of FMstations FM1, FM2, and FM3.

In a further aspect, after base station BS2 ends the setup routine andswitches to operating mode, base station BS2 preferably continues tostabilize its local oscillator 310 using the FM signal. As noted above,base station BS2 includes an FM receiver 306 in addition to its WiMAXinterface (i.e., transceiver 302 and antenna 304). Therefore, once basestation BS2 switches to operating mode and begins using its WiMAXinterface to provide service in coverage area 206, base station BS2 cancontinue to receive and use an FM radio signal as a reference signal forlocal-oscillator stabilization.

Importantly, the phase drift of FM radio signals is such that if an FMradio signal was used for local oscillator stabilization and phase driftwas not accounted for, the local oscillator 310 would likely fail tomeet FCC requirements. Therefore, base station BS2 is preferablyconfigured to adjust its local oscillator periodically in order toaccount for phase drift of the FM radio signal. To do so, base stationBS2 may periodically receive phase-error information from NetOps, whichindicates phase error of the FM signal that base station BS2 is using tostabilize its local oscillator 310.

In a further aspect, an exemplary base station BS2 may periodically(e.g., once a week or once a month) shut down and repeat thecalibration/setup process. A service provider may deem periodic shutdownto repeat the setup routine appropriate to help prevent the stability ofthe local oscillator from becoming unacceptable and/or to help preventframe-start timing from becoming out of sync with nearby base stations.A service provider may also implement a periodic shutdown and repetitionof the setup routine for other reasons, without departing from the scopeof the invention.

Configured as described above, an exemplary macro-network base stationBS2 is able to: (i) determine its geographic location, (ii) stabilizeits local oscillator 310, and (iii) synchronize its frame-start timingwith nearby macro-network base stations, without receipt of a GPSsignal. It should be understood, however, that it is within the scope ofthe invention that a base station use a GPS signal for some of thisfunctionality.

B. Exemplary In-Market Broadcast Monitor

Again referring to FIG. 2, NetOps 212 is preferably configured toprovide macro-network base stations with phase-error information for FMstations in their respective telecommunications markets. In order thatNetOps 212 can provide phase-error information for the FM stations invarious telecommunications markets, a service provider may install anin-market broadcast monitor (IMBM) in each telecommunications market202. An exemplary IMBM may be configured to receive FM radio signalsfrom FM stations in the market in which the IMBM is located, and toperiodically determine the phase errors of the FM radio signals. TheIMBM may then report the determined phase errors to NetOps, so thatNetOps in turn may provide phase-error information to base stations thatare using the FM radio signals as references for local oscillatorstabilization. For example, IMBM 216 is installed in telecommunicationsmarket 202, and is preferably configured to receive FM radio signalsfrom stations FM1-FM3, to generate phase-error information for each ofthe corresponding FM radio signals, and to periodically send thephase-error information to Netops 212.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram illustrating IMBM 216 in greaterdetail. To determine phase-error information for the FM radio signals intelecommunications market 202, IMBM 216 may include one or more FMreceivers 402 (and one or more corresponding antennas 404) for receivingthe FM radio signals that are broadcast by FM stations FM1-FM3. Further,IMBM 216 includes a GPS receiver 406 (and corresponding antenna 408), aswell as a backhaul interface 410 for communicating with NetOps 212 (andpossibly with other entities on the service provider's core network 210as well).

In an exemplary embodiment, IMBM 216 is preferably installed in alocation where line-of-sight communication with a GPS satellite ispossible. The IMBM 216 may then use the 10.23 MHz signal that GPSprovides as a stable reference signal for determining phase error in FMradio signals. In particular, the IMBM 216 may generate a comparisonsignal by dividing down each FM radio signal in telecommunicationsmarket 202 such that when the actual frequency of the FM radio signal isequal to the listed or identified frequency of the broadcasting FMstation, the frequency of the comparison signal will be 10.23 MHz. IMBM216 may then determine the phase difference between the comparisonsignal and the stable GPS 10.23 MHz signal that is known to be accurate,and determines the phase error of the FM signal therefrom. Accordingly,the IMBM 216 may include phase-error logic 412 (i.e., programinstructions), which is stored on a computer-readable medium 414 (i.e.,data storage), and executable by at least one processor 416 to determinephase-error information for received FM radio signals. Furthermore, IMBM216 may also include program instructions not explicitly shown, whichare stored on a computer-readable medium and executable to carry outfunctions described herein.

As noted, IMBM 216 may be configured to provide phase-error informationfor multiple FM stations in a given market. To do so, an IMBM may beequipped with a separate antenna to receive each FM station in itstelecommunications market, so that the IMBM can determine phase-errorinformation for all stations in the market simultaneously.Alternatively, the IMBM may determine phase-error information for one FMstation at a time, and periodically cycle through all the FM stationsthat it monitors. In such an embodiment, it is possible that the IMBMmay include one or more FM antennas. And as another alternative, an IMBMmay group the FM stations it monitors into a number of subsets and cyclethrough the subsets, determining phase-error information for allstations in a given subset simultaneously. For example, an IMBMmonitoring nine FM stations in a given market may be equipped with threeFM antennas, and accordingly, may divide the nine FM stations into threesubsets of three FM stations each. The IMBM may then determinephase-error information for the three FM stations in a given subsetsimultaneously, and cycle between the three subsets. Other IMBMconfigurations for monitoring multiple FM stations in a given market arealso possible.

C. Exemplary Network Operations Center

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram illustrating NetOps 212 in greaterdetail. According to an exemplary embodiment, NetOps 212 may beconfigured to facilitate the operation of a base-station that does notreceive a GPS signal. NetOps 212 may accordingly assist base station BS2in various functions that might otherwise require that base station BS2receive a GPS signal. For example, NetOps may assist base station BS2 inlocation determination, local-oscillator stabilization, and/orframe-start synchronization.

As shown, NetOps 212 includes a communication interface 502 via whichNetOps 212 communicates with IMBM 216 and base stations BS1-BS3. Whileonly one communication interface is shown, it should be understood thatNetOps may alternatively include separate communication interfaces forcommunicating with IMBM 216 and base stations BS1-BS3.

In addition, NetOps 212 includes location-determination logic 504 (i.e.,program instructions), which is stored on a computer-readable medium 506(i.e., data storage), and executable by at least one processor 508 todetermine the location of the base station. More specifically, tofacilitate location determination by base station BS2, NetOps 212 may beconfigured to receive angle-of-arrival data from base station BS2, whichprovides the angle-of-arrival at base station BS2 for various FM radiosignals in the market in which base station BS2 is located. NetOps 212may then use the angle-of-arrival data to determine the location of basestation BS2. In particular, NetOps may be configured to use theangle-of-arrival data and the locations of the FM stations from whichthe FM radio signals originated to perform a triangulation-basedlocation determination technique.

To facilitate determining the locations of various FM stations, NetOpsmay include or have access to a database 511 that stores FM-stationlocation data on a per-market basis. In particular, database 511 mayinclude a table for each of a plurality of telecommunications markets,with the table for a given market indicating the location of each FMstation in the market. For instance, database 511 includes table 513A,which provides the location (LOC) of each FM station in Market_1, andtable 513B, which provides the location (LOC) of each FM station inMarket_2. Tables 513A and 513B may identify an FM station using variousidentifiers, such as the broadcast frequency or the call letters of theFM station.

NetOps 212 also includes phase-error adjustment logic 510, which isexecutable to: (a) acquire phase-error information for the FM stationsin a given market from the IMBM 216 in that market, and (b) distributeFM-signal phase-error information to the appropriate base stations.Furthermore, NetOps 212 may also include program instructions notexplicitly shown, which are stored on a computer-readable medium andexecutable to carry out functions described herein.

To facilitate sending periodic phase-error indications to theappropriate base stations, NetOps 212 may include or have access to adatabase 512 that indicates which base stations are relying on which FMstations for local-oscillator stabilization. In order that this databasebe populated, when a base station selects an FM radio signal to use forlocal oscillator stabilization, the base station preferably reports theFM station that broadcasts the FM radio signal to NetOps 212, along withits own base station identifier (BS_ID). The FM station may beidentified by the base station using various techniques. For instance,the base station may indicate the broadcast frequency (e.g., 99.1 MHz)or the call letters of the FM station. NetOps then stores thisinformation in database 512 so that it can later determine the FMstation that the base station is relying upon. More specifically, NetOps212 may create an entry in the database 512 for the market in which thebase station is located, which associates the BS_ID of the base stationwith the FM station.

Provided with database 512, NetOps 212 may determine which mobilestations to send phase-error indications to whenever NetOps 212 receivesupdated phase-error information from IMBM 216. In particular, whenNetOps 212 receives updated phase-error information for a certain FMstation, NetOps 212 may access the database 512, and determine whichbase station or base stations in the market are using that FM stationfor local oscillator stabilization. For example, if NetOps receives anindication that the FM station with a 99.1 MHz broadcast frequency in acertain market has a certain phase error, then NetOps may then accessthe database to determine the base station or base stations which arerelying upon the 99.1 MHz FM radio signal for local oscillatorstabilization, and send these base stations the phase-error informationfor the associated FM station.

II. Exemplary Location-Determination Methods

Many location-determination techniques, such as time difference ofarrival (TDOA) and various triangulation-based techniques are based uponthe angles-of-arrival of multiple signals from known sources. Thesetechniques typically involve determining the location of a receivingentity by measuring the angles at which signals arrive at the receivingentity from at least three known sources, and then subtending from thesources at the measured angles to determine a crossing point. Thiscrossing point is thus the location of the receiving entity. In anexemplary embodiment, the location of a macro-network base station isdetermined using a location-determination technique based at least inpart on the angles-of-arrival of FM signals from nearby FM radiostations.

Unfortunately, when a macro-network base station is initially installed,the base station does not know the locations of FM stations in themarket in which it is located, and angle-of-arrival techniques typicallyrequire that the locations of the signal sources be known. Complicatingthis problem, FM stations are typically identified by their broadcastfrequency, and broadcast frequencies are reused from market to market.This may make it difficult to determine which market a given FM stationis located within, which in turn makes determining the geographiclocation of the FM station, as simply looking up the location of an FMstation having a certain broadcast frequency may yield inconclusiveresults. However, in an exemplary embodiment, a WiMAX base stationcoordinates with NetOps to intelligently determine the respectivelocations of FM stations in its market, so that theangle-of-arrival-based techniques can be applied to determine the BS'slocation.

A. Exemplary Location Determination by a Macro-Network Base Station

FIG. 6A is a flow chart illustrating a location-determination method 600that may be carried out by a macro-network base station, according to anexemplary embodiment. In particular, method 600 may involve a secondbase station searching for and receiving a broadcast signal from a firstbase station that is nearby, as shown by block 602. As a macro-networkbase station typically includes its BS_ID as overhead information in itsbroadcast signal (e.g., as overhead information in each WiMAX frame),the second base station may extract the BS_ID of the first base stationfrom the received broadcast signal, as shown by block 604. Additionally,the second base station may receive FM radio signals (preferably threeor more) that are broadcast by a number FM stations in the first BS'smarket, as shown by block 606. The second base station may thendetermine the angle of arrival of each FM signal, as shown by block 608.

Once the second base station has determined the identificationinformation for the first base station, the second base station may senda message to NetOps that indicates: (a) the broadcast frequency of eachFM station and the corresponding angle of arrival of the FM radio signalfrom the FM station, and (b) the BS_ID and the broadcast frequency ofthe first base station, as shown by block 610. The second base stationthen receives a response from NetOps that indicates its location, asshown by block 612, which NetOps has determined based upon theinformation provided by the second base station (e.g., the broadcastfrequency and angle of arrival of each of the FM stations and/or theBS_ID and the transmission frequency of the first base station).

To carry out an exemplary method, a base station may be configured todetermine the angle-of-arrival for a given FM station using varioustechniques, which are generally known in the art. For example, a basestation may be configured to use a well-known Doppler technique in whichthe base station's local oscillator is offset from the incoming FMsignal, and beats against the FM signal to produce an audio “beat note”.The base station's FM antenna is electronically “swept” toward and awayfrom the signal source, causing the pitch of the audio “beat note” torise and fall. In a manner that is well known to those skilled in theart, a zero-crossing detector is then phase-synchronized with an angle“stepper” to provide the angle at which the signal is arriving at thebase station. Other angle-of-arrival techniques may also be employed,without departing from the scope of the invention.

As noted, the second base station may report the BS_ID and/or thebroadcast frequency of the first base station to assist NetOps indetermining the market in which the base station is located. Inparticular, by looking up the market or markets that have amacro-network base station with the reported BS_ID and/or the reportedbroadcast frequency, NetOps may narrow the markets in which it searchesfor a match with the reported FM stations. To do so, NetOps may searchfor markets that have all the FM stations reported by the base station.Since FM broadcast frequencies may be reused from market to market, thissearch can return a number of markets. Accordingly, NetOps may narrowthe markets that it searches to those that also have a macro-networkbase station with the reported BS_ID and/or the reported broadcastfrequency.

In an alternative location-determination method, a macro-network basestation may still provide NetOps with angle-of arrival data for FMstations in its market, but may not provide the identificationinformation for a nearby base station. In such an embodiment, the basestation need not search for or receive the broadcast signal from anearby macro-network base station. Therfore, the base station may simplyreceive three or more FM radio signals in its market, and send a messageto NetOps that identifies the broadcast frequency of each FM radiosignal, along with the corresponding angle of arrival of the FM radiosignal. As NetOps does not narrow the potential markets to those havinga matching base station, it is possible that not identifying the nearbybase station may result in more processing by NetOps. However, NetOpscan still use the angle-of-arrival information to determine the locationof the base station.

B. Exemplary Location-Determination Assistance by a Network OperationsCenter

As noted, NetOps is preferably configured to perform anangle-of-arrival-based location determination technique (i.e., atriangulation-based technique) to determine the location of a given basestation. The location determination technique used by NetOps ispreferably based upon the locations of the FM stations and thecorresponding angle-of-arrival of each FM station's signal at themacro-network base station. In a further aspect, the locationdetermination technique used by NetOps may also be based upon thelocation of a base station that is nearby the base station for whichlocation is being determined.

In an exemplary embodiment, NetOps receives angle-of-arrival data from abase station, which preferably includes angles of arrival for at leastthree FM radio signals. NetOps also receives identification informationfor each of these FM radio signals (e.g., a listed frequency of or callletters of the FM station that broadcasts the FM radio signal).Furthermore, NetOps may receive identification information for a nearbybase station (e.g., the BS_ID and/or broadcast frequency of theinformation). Due to re-use of the identification information for bothmacro-network base stations and FM radio stations, the reportedidentification information by itself may be insufficient to uniquelyidentify the telecommunications market in which the reporting basestation is located, and thus insufficient to determine the location ofthe reporting base station.

Accordingly, NetOps may initially identify a set of potential markets inwhich a base station might be located. To do so, NetOps preferablydetermines which markets include FM stations at all the broadcastfrequencies reported by the first base station. Since it is possiblethat a large number of potential markets may still exist even afternarrowing the set to those markets that include all the FM stationsidentified by the base station, NetOps may be further configured to usethe reported information regarding the nearby base station (e.g., theBS_ID and the broadcast frequency) to further narrow the potentialmarkets to those that also include a base station that is assigned thereported BS_ID, and/or that operates at the reported broadcastfrequency.

It should be understood that the order in which the identificationinformation for the FM stations and the identification information forthe nearby base station are used to narrow the set of potential marketsmay vary as a matter of engineering design choice. Therefore, in analternative embodiment, NetOps may first narrow the set of potentialmarkets to those in which a base station matches the reported BS_ID andbroadcast frequency, and then further narrow the set to those potentialmarkets that have all the reported FM stations.

FIG. 6B is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 650, which maybe carried out by NetOps to determine the location of a macro-networkbase station. In particular, NetOps receives a message from the basestation that includes: (a) the listed broadcast frequency for each of anumber of FM stations (preferably three or more) in the market in whichthe first base station is located, as well as the corresponding anglesof arrival at the first base station for the FM radio signal from eachFM stations, and (b) the BS_ID and the broadcast frequency of a secondBS, as shown by block 652. NetOps then identifies a subset of allmarkets as potential markets, by determining which markets include abase station that has the reported BS_ID and is operating at thereported transmission frequency, and eliminating from consideration themarkets that do not, as shown by block 654. NetOps further narrows theset of potential markets by determining which of the potential marketsalso has all of the FM stations identified by the first base station(i.e., FM stations broadcasting at all broadcast frequencies reported bythe first base station), and removing those that do not from the subsetof potential markets, as shown by block 656.

When NetOps attempts to perform a triangulation-basedlocation-determination technique based upon the reportedangle-of-arrival data, but inputs incorrect locations for thecorresponding signal sources (e.g., the FM stations), an error willresult. In particular, triangulation will not yield a crossing pointsince the arrangement of the FM stations in the market in which the basestation is location will differ from the arrangement of the FM stationshaving the same identification information in other markets. Therefore,when triangulation based on the locations of matching FM stations in oneof the potential markets produces a valid crossing point, this indicatesto NetOps that it has identified the market in which the base station islocated, and that the crossing point is the correct location of the basestation. Accordingly, once NetOps has determined a set of potentialmarkets, NetOps may test the potential markets one at a time, applying alocation determination process in each potential market until theapplication of the triangulation-based techniques yields a validcrossing point in one of the potential markets.

More specifically, NetOps may select a next potential market from theidentified set of potential markets, as shown by block 658. NetOps thendetermines which FM stations in the market match the identificationinformation provided by the base station, and determines the geographiclocations the FM stations in the potential market having the listedbroadcast frequencies reported by the base station, as shown by block660. NetOps then attempts to triangulate the location of the first basestation using the determined FM-station locations and the correspondingangles-of-arrival reported by the base station, as shown by block 661,and determines whether a valid location results, as shown by block 662.If a valid location (e.g., a crossing point) results, then NetOps setsthis location as the location of the base station, as shown by block664. On the other hand, if the location-determination process fails(e.g., if no valid crossing point can be determined), then NetOpsselects the next potential market, as shown by block 608, and repeatsblocks 610-612 for the next potential market. NetOps may then repeatblocks 608-612, attempting to determine a crossing point in eachpotential market until a crossing point is successfully determined inone of the potential markets.

In an alternative embodiment, before setting the determined crossingpoint as the location of the first base station, NetOps may verify thedetermined crossing point by checking whether the crossing point iswithin the broadcast range of the first base station. In particular,NetOps may use the reported identification information for the nearbybase station to determine the nearby base station's location. Then,before setting the determined crossing point as the geographic locationof the base station, NetOps may verify that the crossing point is withinthe broadcast range of the first base station. For example, if amacro-network base station has a broadcast range that is limited to twomiles, then NetOps may verify that the crossing point and the nearbybase station are within two miles from each other. It should beunderstood that the broadcast range of a base station may vary, and thatverification of the crossing point may vary accordingly as well, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

III. Exemplary Local-Oscillator Stabilization Methods

A. Local-Oscillator Stabilization at a Macro-Network Base Station

As noted, an exemplary WiMAX base station may be configured to use an FMradio signal as a reference signal for stabilization of its localoscillator. However, since an FM signal may experience phase drift,and/or because the exact frequency of the FM signal may not be known,simply phase-locking the local oscillator to the FM signal with nothingfurther, would most likely result in the local oscillator failing tomeet FCC requirements for accuracy. Therefore, after an exemplary basestation begins providing WiMAX service (i.e., after the setup periodends), the base station periodically adjusts the local oscillator basedon phase-error information provided by NetOps, in order to account forany phase drift of the FM signal. (Note that the base station may beginmaking such phase adjustments during the setup period as well.)

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method 700 for stabilizing a localoscillator, according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, method700 involves a macro-network base station in a macro network, which islocated in a given telecommunications market, receiving an FM radiosignal from an FM station that is also located in the market, as shownby block 702. The base station then phase-locks its local oscillator tothe FM radio signal, as shown by block 704. Further, the base stationperiodically receives a phase-error indication, which indicates anyphase drift that has been experienced by the FM radio signal, as shownby block 706. Accordingly, the base station uses the receivedphase-error indications to periodically adjust the phase of the localoscillator in order to account for phase drift of the FM radio signal,as shown by block 708.

In a further aspect, an exemplary method may initially involve the basestation searching for the FM radio signal having the greatest signalstrength, or possibly an FM radio signal with a signal strength above apredetermined threshold. The base station may then select this FM radiosignal as the signal to use for local oscillator stabilization. Inaddition, once a base station has selected a given FM signal, the basestation may report the selection to NetOps so that NetOps canperiodically provide updated phase-error information for the selected FMsignal. For example, the base station may report the selected FM stationto NetOps by sending NetOps a message indicating the broadcast frequency(e.g., 99.1 MHz) of the FM signal. As another example, the base stationmay report the call letters (e.g., WQRX) of the FM station. The basestation may identify the FM radio signal in other formats and usingother techniques as well.

In an alternative embodiment, during the setup period, an exemplaryWiMAX base station may be further configured to perform an initialcalibration of its local oscillator using the broadcast signal from anearby macro-network base station as a reference. The nearby WiMAX basestation also must comply with FCC requirements, and thus provides areliable reference signal to use for calibration. In such an embodiment,the base station may first phase-lock its local oscillator to the WiMAXsignal from the nearby macro-network base station. However, since thebase station eventually needs to use its WiMAX communication interfaceto provide WiMAX service, the base station cannot continue to receivethe signal from the nearby base station once it switches to operatingmode, and thus cannot maintain a phase lock to the broadcast signal onceit begins providing WiMAX service. Accordingly, after calibrating itslocal oscillator to the WiMAX signal, the base station may transfer thephase lock to an FM radio signal so that the base station may beginusing its WiMAX interface to provide WiMAX service.

To implement such an alternative embodiment, a WiMAX base station mayinitially search for a signal from a nearby base station. Typical WiMAXbase stations transmit a signal within a 10 MHz channel allocated formacro network communications, and can vary the transmission frequency in250 kHz steps throughout the U.S. authorized Broadband Radio Service(BRS band) frequency range of 2496 MHz to 2690 MHz. To search for thesignal from a nearby base station, a given base station may scan the BRSband by certain standard channels that base stations in a given networktypically operate on. These standard channels are typically predefinedand may be selected as a matter of engineering design choice. Then, ifno base station is found after a scan of the standard channels by, forexample, adjusting the channel raster in 250 kHz steps from the standardchannels. Further, when a base station acquires a signal from a nearbybase station, it may check the network operator identifier in thereceived signal, to make sure that it is synchronizing with a basestation in its own network (e.g., that is operated by the same serviceprovider).

Once the broadcast signal from the nearby base station is acquired, thebase station may stabilize its local oscillator using the broadcastsignal. To use the broadcast signal as a reference for local-oscillatorstabilization, the base station may need to determine the precisefrequency at which the nearby base station is transmitting the broadcastsignal. In practice, however, a base station may only know theapproximate frequency with which the nearby base station istransmitting. As such, to calibrate the local oscillator with the levelof accuracy meeting FCC requirements, the base station may query NetOpsfor the actual transmission frequency of the nearby base station.

The base station may identify the nearby base station to NetOps bysending NetOps a request message that includes the BS_ID of the nearbybase station. Macro-network base stations typically includes theirrespective BS_IDs in their respective broadcast signals. Accordingly,the first base station may learn the BS_ID of the nearby base station inthe broadcast signal it receives from the nearby base station. NetOpspreferably responds to the base station with a message that indicatesthe actual frequency at which the nearby base station is operating. Tofacilitate the query, NetOps may accordingly maintain or have access toa database indicating the frequency of operation of each base station inthe macro network. Further, so that NetOps can populate this database,each base station in the macro network may routinely report itsfrequency of operation (i.e., its transmission frequency) to NetOps.Therefore, provided with the BS_ID for a given base station, NetOps cansimply look up the actual frequency of operation for the base station,and respond to the querying base station by indicating the actualfrequency, so that the base station can stabilize its local oscillator.

B. Network Operations Center Support for Local-Oscillator Stabilization

FIG. 8 is flow chart illustrating a method 800 for facilitatinglocal-oscillator stabilization at one or more base stations in a macronetwork, according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular, method 800may be carried out by NetOps (or possibly another macro-network entity)to distribute phase-error indications received from various IMBMs, tothe appropriate macro-network base stations. As shown, method 800involves NetOps receiving a phase-error indication for each of one ormore FM radio signals in a given telecommunications market, as shown byblock 802. When updated phase-error information is received, NetOpsidentifies the base stations that are relying on each of the FM radiosignals as a reference for local-oscillator stabilization, as shown byblock 804. Then, for each FM radio signal, NetOps sends a phase-errorindication for the FM radio signal to the base stations that are usingthe FM radio signal for local-oscillator stabilization, as shown byblock 806.

In a further aspect, NetOps may be configured to periodically provide aphase-error indication to each base station served by NetOps. In anexemplary embodiment, NetOps may provide phase-error indications everyone to three seconds. However, the duration of the period betweenphase-error indications may be varied as a matter of engineering designchoice.

C. In-Market Broadcast Monitor Support for Local-OscillatorStabilization

As noted above, a service provider may install an IMBM in each market toprovide NetOps with phase-error information for each FM radio signal inthe market, so that NetOps may in turn provide the phase-errorinformation to base stations using the FM radio signal as a referencefor local-oscillator stabilization. FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustratinga method 900 that may be implemented by an IMBM. In particular, method900 may be implemented by an IMBM to provide phase-error informationthat can ultimately be used for local-oscillator stabilization bymacro-network base stations.

As shown, method 900 involves the IMBM receiving an FM radio signal thatis broadcast by an FM station in a given telecommunications market, asshown by block 902. The IMBM also receives a GPS signal, as shown byblock 904. The IMBM then determines a phase error for the FM radiosignal. In particular, the IMBM divides down the FM radio signal togenerate a comparison signal, as shown by block 906. The IMBM thendetermines the phase difference between the comparison signal and theGPS signal, as shown, as shown by block 908. The IMBM can then providethe phase error of the FM radio signal, which is indicated by the phasedifference between the comparison signal and the GPS signal, for use byone or more base stations in the macro network. For example, the IMBMmay send NetOps a phase-error indication, which indicates the phasedifference between the comparison signal and the GPS signal, as shown byblock 910. NetOps may then disseminate the phase-error indication tothose base stations relying on the given FM radio signal. Furthermore,an exemplary IMBM may repeat method 900 for each FM signal that isbroadcast in its market.

In an exemplary embodiment, IMBM 216 may calculate the phase error of agiven FM signal by dividing down the FM signal to 10 MHz, and comparingthe result to the 10 MHz GPS reference signal. (Note that in practice,the GPS reference signal is typically 10.23 MHz, but 10 MHz is used inthe following example to simplify calculations.) For instance, to dividedown the FM radio signal, the IMBM 216 may divide the FM signal by asignal having a frequency such that the comparison signal should be a 10MHz signal. For instance, if a given FM station has a listed broadcastfrequency of 99.1 MHz, the IMBM 216 may divide the FM radio signal fromthe FM station digitally by a 9,910,000. If the actual broadcastfrequency of the FM radio signal is 99.1 MHz, then this will result in acomparison signal that is 10 MHz. However, because the FM signal mayhave experienced phase drift, the comparison signal produced by dividingdown the FM radio signal is unlikely to be exactly 10 MHz. Therefore, tocalculate the phase drift (i.e., the deviation of the output signal from10 MHz), IMBM 216 compares the output signal to a 10 MHz referencesignal that is known to be accurate, such as a GPS timing signal.

In practice, the FM signal may be divided down using a digital counter.More specifically, the FM signal may be input into the digital counter,which then outputs a transition periodically whenever it reaches anachieving count. In particular, the IMBM may be configured to generateoutput pulse each time a given count is satisfied. The period betweenoccurrences of this pulse may then be phase-compared to the periodbetween pulses in a reference-pulse signal, and a difference voltage maythen be generated. This difference voltage is then converted to aproportional positive or negative numeric value (i.e., the phase-errorindication, which may also be referred to as a phase offset value) andprovided to the appropriate base stations to use to correct the phase oftheir respective local oscillators. Accordingly, an exemplary IMBM mayinclude: (i) a divider, and (ii) a phase comparator that is configuredto compare the output of the divider and the GPS reference signal todetermine the phase offset value to be provided to the base stations.

In a further aspect, an exemplary IMBM may be configured to periodicallydetermine and provide phase-error indications to NetOps. In an exemplaryembodiment, each IMBM may provide phase-error indications every one tothree seconds. However, the duration of the period between phase-errorindications may be varied as a matter of engineering design choice.

IV. Exemplary Frame-Start Synchronization Methods

A. Frame Start Synchronization at a Macro-Network Base Station

In an exemplary embodiment, a macro-network base station is preferablyconfigured to provide service by transmitting a broadcast signal that issynchronized with the broadcast signals from nearby base stations. Inparticular, as the macro-network signal is structured as a series offrames of a predetermined duration, the base station may achieve whatmay be referred to as “frame-start synchronization” by synchronizing thetime at which the transmission of each frame is initiated with nearbybase stations. An exemplary base station preferably accomplishesframe-start synchronization without a GPS signal, and thus does notrequire line-of-sight access to a GPS satellite for frame-startsynchronization.

FIG. 10A is a flow chart illustrating a method 10 for frame-startsynchronization, according to an exemplary embodiment. As part of itssetup routine, a base station may carry out a first portion 11 of themethod 10 in which it establishes a frame-start timing signal that issynchronized to frames in a broadcast signal from a nearby base station.The timing signal may then be used to control frame transmissions in asecond portion 13 of the method 10, which the base station carries outonce the base station switches to its operating mode.

More specifically, method 10 involves a second macro-network basestation receiving a first broadcast signal from a first macro-networkbase station, where the first signal is formatted into frames, as shownby block 12. The second base station then synchronizes a frame-starttiming signal with the frames in the first signal, as shown by block 14.In particular, the first base station synchronizes frame-start triggerswith the receipt of frames from the first base station. As such, thefrequency of the frame-start triggers in the timing signal is matched tothe frequency of frame transmissions by the first base station. However,because of the time-of-flight delay between the first base station andthe second base station, the periodic frame-start triggers are out ofsynchronization with the actual transmission of the frames by the firstbase station.

Accordingly, the second base station determines the time-of-flight delaybetween the first base station and the second base station, as shown byblock 16. The second base station may then adjust the timing offset ofthe frame-start signal to account for the time-of-flight delay, as shownby block 18. By accounting for the time-of-flight delay, the periodicframe-start trigger in the timing signal is synchronized to the timingof frame transmissions by the first base station. Therefore, when thesecond base station ends its setup routine and switches to operatingmode, the second base station may use the frame-start timing signal tocontrol the timing of frames in the transmission of its own broadcastsignal, which is likewise formatted into frames, as shown by block 20.

Preferably, the determination of the time-of-flight delay between thefirst base station and the second base station involves the second basestation querying NetOps for the time-of-flight delay. Since the speed atwhich the signal travels is typically a known value, the calculation ofthe time-of-flight delay between a signal source and a recipienttypically involves determining the distance between the source and therecipient. Accordingly, the second base station's query to NetOpspreferably includes: (i) the identifier of the first base station and(ii) and the geographic location of the second base station. NetOps mayuse the identifier of the first base station to look up the location ofthe first base station, and then determine the distance between thefirst base station's location and the second base station's location.

Furthermore, in order that the second base station can provide itsgeographic location to NetOps without using GPS, the second base stationpreferably determines its location using a technique that does notinvolve GPS. For example, the first base station may use alocation-determination method described herein, such as method 600 ofFIG. 6A. However, it is also possible that the first base station maydetermine its location in another manner, without departing from thescope of the invention.

B. Network Operations Center Support for Frame-Start Synchronization

FIG. 10B is a flow chart illustrating a method 22 for facilitatingframe-start synchronization of a base station, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Method 22 may be carried out by NetOps or anothercore-network entity in order to provide a base station with thetime-of-flight delay from a nearby base station, so that the basestation can synchronize its frame transmissions with the nearby basestation.

As shown, method 22 involves NetOps receiving a time-of-flight requestfrom the second base station, where the time-of-flight request includes(i) an identifier of a first base station, and (ii) the geographiclocation of the second base station, as shown by block 24. NetOps thenuses the identifier of the first base station to look up the location ofthe first base station, as shown by block 26. Provided with thelocations of the first and second base stations, NetOps can thendetermine the distance between the first base station and the secondbase station, as shown by block 28. NetOps then uses the distancebetween the first base station and the second base station to determinethe time-of-flight delay experienced by a signal between transmissionfrom the first base station and receipt at the second base station, asshown by block 30. NetOps may then send an indication of thetime-of-flight delay to the second base station, as shown by block 32.

It should be understood the arrangements and functions described hereinare presented for purposes of example only, and that numerous variationsare possible. For instance, elements can be added, omitted, combined,distributed, reordered, or otherwise modified. Further, where thisdocument mentions functions that can be carried out by a device or otherentity, it should be understood that the functions may be implemented inwhole or in part by software (e.g., machine language instructions storedin data storage and executable by a processor), firmware, and/orhardware.

We claim:
 1. A method for frame-start synchronization with nearby basestations in a macro network, the method comprising: (a) a second basestation receiving a first signal from a first base station in the macronetwork, wherein the first signal comprises frames, and wherein thefirst signal further comprises an identifier of the first base station;(b) the second base station synchronizing a frame-start timing signalwith the frames in the first signal; (c) the second base stationdetermining a time-of-flight delay between the first base station andthe second base station; (d) the second base station adjusting timing ofthe frame-start signal to account for the time-of-flight delay betweenthe first base station and the second base station; and (e) the secondbase station broadcasting a second signal that is formatted into frames,wherein the second base station uses the frame-start timing signal tocontrol timing of the frames in the second signal.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the second base station carries out steps (a)-(d)during a setup routine, and wherein the second base station carries outstep (e) after finishing the setup routine and switching to an operatingmode.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second base station switchesout of the operating mode, repeats the setup routine, and then switchesback to the operating mode.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondbase station determining the time-of-flight delay between the first basestation and the second base station comprises: the second base stationdetermining its geographic location; the second base station sending (i)the identifier of the first base station and (ii) the geographiclocation of the second base station to a network operations center foruse in a determination of a distance between the first base station andthe second base station; and the second base station receiving anindication of the time-of-flight delay from the network operationscenter, wherein the time-of-flight delay is based at least in part onthe distance between the first base station and the second base station.5. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the frame-start timingsignal with the frames in the first signal comprises creating periodicframe-start triggers in the frame-start timing signal, wherein theframe-start triggers occur in the timing signal at a frequency that ismatched to a frequency of frame transmissions by the first base station.6. A base station configured to provide wireless service in a coveragearea of a macro network, wherein the base station is configured tocommunicate with client devices in the coverage area via a signalcomprising frames, the base station comprising: a macro-networkcommunication interface; a backhaul communication interface; and programinstructions stored in a non-transitory tangible computer readablemedium and executable by at least one processor to: (a) cause themacro-network communication interface to receive a first signal from anearby base station in the macro network, wherein the first signalcomprises a plurality of frames, and wherein the first signal furthercomprises an identifier of the base station; (b) synchronize aframe-start timing signal with receipt of the frames in the firstsignal; (c) determine a time-of-flight delay experienced by the firstsignal between transmission of the first signal from the nearby basestation and receipt of the first signal; (d) adjust timing of theframe-start signal to account for the determined time-of-flight delay;and (e) cause the base station to broadcast transmit a second signalthat comprises frames, wherein the frame-start timing signal is used tocontrol timing of the frames in the second signal.
 7. The base stationof claim 6, wherein the program instructions stored in thenon-transitory tangible computer readable medium and executable by theat least one processor to determine the time-of-flight delay experiencedby the first signal comprise program instructions stored in thenon-transitory tangible computer readable medium and executable by theat least one processor to: determine a geographic location of the basestation; send (i) an identifier of the nearby base station and (ii) thegeographic location of the base station to a network operations centerfor use in a determination of a distance between the nearby base stationand the base station; and receive, at the base station, from the networkoperations center, an indication of the time-of-flight delay between thebase station and the nearby base station, wherein the time-of-flightdelay is determined based at least in part on the distance between thebase station and the nearby base station.
 8. The base station of claim6, wherein the program instructions stored in the non-transitorytangible computer readable medium and executable by the at least oneprocessor to synchronize the frame-start timing signal with receipt ofthe frames in the first signal comprise: program instructions stored inthe non-transitory tangible computer readable medium and executable bythe at least one processor to synchronize periodic frame-start triggersin the frame-start timing signal with the receipt of frames in the firstsignal such that a frequency at which the frame-start triggers occur isequal to a frequency at which the frames are received.
 9. The basestation of claim 6, further comprising program instructions stored inthe non-transitory tangible computer readable medium and executable bythe at least one processor to perform functions (a)-(d) during a setuproutine, and to perform function (e) after finishing the setup routineand switching to an operating mode.
 10. The base station of claim 6,further comprising program instructions stored in the non-transitorytangible computer readable medium and executable by the at least oneprocessor to: switch out of the operating mode, repeat the setuproutine, and then switch back to the operating mode.
 11. A method forfacilitating frame-start synchronization of a base station, the methodcomprising: a core-network component receiving a request from a secondbase station for a time-of-flight delay between a first base station andthe second base station, wherein the request includes (i) an identifierof the first base station and (ii) a geographic location of the secondbase station, and wherein the second base station is configured to usethe time-of-flight delay to synchronize a frame-start timing signal withframes in a signal of the first base station; the core-network componentusing the identifier of the first base station as a basis to determine ageographic location of the first base station; based at least in part onboth (i) the received geographic location of the second base station and(ii) the determined geographic location of the first base station, thecore-network component determining a distance between the first basestation and the second base station; the core-network component usingthe distance between the first base station and the second base stationas a basis to determine the time-of-flight delay experienced by a signalbetween the first base station and the second base station; and thecore-network component sending an indication of the time-of-flight delayto the second base station.